Robert W. Smith was born in 1883 in Miami County. Smith was home schooled until he was 15. He then attended public school for 6 weeks to learn geometry. He learned the wood working trade from his father, William Smith, and his brother, William Smith Jr.. During the 1850's, Robert designed a truss system, which he used to build numerous barns. In 1867, Smith designed and patented the Smith Truss. That same year, he founded the Smith Bridge Company. Smith would prefabricate the trusses and ship them on site via the Miami & Erie Canal and the railroads.